Ashrams have great ties to tourism and the essence of India. Ashrams provide a gateway to the religious magnificence India has been so famous for throughout the centuries, and it contributes to tourism in terms of beauty and mass appeal. Now Bangalore being the tech capital of India, people would be inclined to think that it left its spiritual heritage behind, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. As we will proceed to count down the 5 most popular ashrams in Bangalore, we will see how ancient heritage and beauty and soul connect still beats strong through the pulse of this global city.
1. Choe Khor Sum Ling Centre
Choe Khor Sum Ling Centre is one of the primary spots that springs to one’s mind as one thinks of ashrams in Bangalore. This is an ashram in the true sense of the term, one that offers actual enlightenment to visitors on the path of Mahayana Buddhism. This holds classes and talks periodically over short intervals of time, which are aimed at conveying the Buddha Bodhisattva’s way of life to inspire listeners, and basic tenets of life betterment and Buddhism. It was constructed on the plea of a Dalai Lama and is one that attracts major attention even today. Its title refers to the 3 famous Buddhist wheels.
2. International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISCKON)
ISCKON is one organization whose lavish infrastructure can be glimpsed at through branches all over the country. What started out as a charter to offer devotion to the all powerful Hindu Lord Krishna was converted into a program that gave people awareness about Krishna, religious books like the Gita, all over the world through branches. It also offers courses that help improve lifestyles and impart skills you could put to practical use in daily life.
3. Chinmaya Mission
Swami Chinmay Ananda in the days of yore visualized a system in which all classes of society benefitted from direct knowledge of India’s spiritual treasure store, the Vedantas. His idea finds realization today as this ashram, which teaches not only nationals but also foreigners main points from the Vedantic way of life, that they could implement in all life situations. Moreover, the best part is that they have separate sessions tailored to different sects and ages of people for maximum benefit purposes.
4. Atma Darshan Yogashram
Swami Satyananda in 1979 founded this ashram that rose to towering heights of fame and impact later on in time. Atma Darshan Yogashram focuses on exploring the consequences and manifestations of the Atma or soul in day to day life, ways to better it and all of this through the thrust area of yoga. This offers chanting sessions periodically and very often, and even engages in free yoga education classes. The perks are lodging, and extensive book collections in exhaustive libraries and stores you get access to. Its influenced by the Bihari School of Yoga.
5. Santhigiri Ashram
Santhigiri is one ashram that is the branch of a larger and older one that preaches the message of universal brotherhood, love and harmony. And all this not only among men- it includes the love of nature and other living creatures into the scheme as well. The thrust area is yoga, through which the message of love is spread to and for all parts of the world and community. Various asanas are taught, and the atmosphere is tranquil and very congenial to the purposes.
Bangalore might be progressing by leaps and bounds and giving world cities a run for their money, but it sure is as connected as ever to its spiritual roots and essence. We see various ashrams mushroomed all over the city. We have on our list only five but the numbers could go on and on with time. These have worked tirelessly in many areas of social development, from charity to community psychotherapy. No wonder they have attracted attention all over the world. So don’t wait, don’t miss out. Here is your chance for a fuller life!
